First Years Students’ Impressions of Pair Programming in CS1 Beth Simon CSE, Univ. of California, San Diego Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative Univ. of British Columbia Brian Hanks CSIS, Fort Lewis College
Motivation Using Pair Programming in CS1 has quantitatively good effects on students McDowell finds that when students use PP switch to solo in CS2, they outperform students who solo in CS1 (pass CS2 the first time) In CS1 More confident in their work More likely to complete CS1 More likely to stay in or select a computing major Gender gap in confidence and retention rates decreased
Motivation Using Pair Programming in CS1 has qualititatively good effects on students Melnick and Maurer “I personally like pair programming” “I believe pair programming improves software quality” VanDeGrift “enjoyed working with a partner”
Methodology Interviews with 11 students who used PP in CS1 and solo in CS2 During or near end of CS2 30-60 minutes, semi-structured What is PP? What’s valuable and unsatisfactory about PP? Compare PP and SP experience Describe your valuation of PP versus SP Read through transcripts for statements of interest Developed set of themes – in part guided by our knowledge of the literature and expectations as instructors
Outline Motivation and Related Work Methodology What is PP? What’s valuable and unsatisfactory about PP? Compare PP and SP experience Describe your valuation of PP versus SP What Did They Say? Thematic Findings Comparisons Difficulties Learning Social Aspects Considerations for Institutions Considering PP in CS1
Theme: Comparisons between PP and SP SP is more frustrating “I got stuck. I sat there for hours trying to figure out what was happening, and then somebody noticed some small error that I had, and I fixed it, and everything worked. And I just sort of sat there and cried for a little bit. ” “It’s a lot more stressful, harder because you don’t have that extra person to help you think about what’s wrong. ”
Theme: Comparisons between PP and SP I get stuck more or find it harder to get unstuck when SP. “… was more brainstorming before when we did PP. It was like, “Oh, we want to do x, y, and z.” Well, when I do it solo… It’s in the back of my head [but he doesn’t do that as much]… then when it gets stuck, I’m like, “I don’t know what to do.” “I probably get stuck more frequently. I’ve just been sitting at the computer too long, so my brain had stopped working through it. And I didn’t know how to go any further.”
Theme: Comparisons between PP and SP I explore more ideas or solutions with PP. “ [Pairing] I was more apt to explore a lot of different solutions than just go with the first one that I came across. … there was also the willpower and the drive to explore different options and now sometimes I just want to get the assignment done.” “ [L]ooking at it from a different angle, and figure out a different method to solving the problem and vice versa.” “[H]ard to figure things by yourself, so have another person to help you and get ideas from each other, different ways to solve a problem.”
Theme: Comparisons between PP and SP SP may or may not take less time. Difficult to judge because assignments in CS2 were “bigger” and “more complex.” SP is faster because “it’s just me and I don’t have to explain an idea or get a consensus or something.” PP is faster because “[SP] you have to do all the thinking. … You just have to keep on going and pushing yourself. When you can’t figure out things, it just – it takes a toll on you.”
Theme: Difficulties A big problem with PP is scheduling. “The only thing I can really complain about is I guess are the times we were unable to meet. ” “Since now I’m on my own schedule [with SP] I start it whenever I feel like it. ” “The disadvantage is then you have to meet up with your partner and set up a time and everything… ”
Theme: Difficulties When to get started on SP assignments differs. “ I’m embarrassed. Yes I procrastinate more [with SP]. ” “ Whereas now [with SP] it really depends. Since now I’m on my own schedule I start it whenever I feel like it. I usually plan it out like two or three days before. And work on it every day. ” “ I maybe start a little bit earlier on these assignments [SP], just because I can. ”
Theme: Learning PP is a good way to learn programming in CS1. “Programming in pairs helped me a lot, so when it came time to program by myself, I was ready.” “I think it was a good way to start. I didn’t feel like I was totally alone in the lab. The first assignment we ever got – like I don’t remember exactly what we had to do. I just remember a whole bunch of jargon being thrown at me. And I felt like the whole rest of the class understood what was being instructed, and I was the only one in there that did not. And it turned out that everybody was kind of just as lost as I was. ”
Theme: Learning Students feel that they understand their programs better when they work by themselves. “[I] learn more because I have to do it myself and I can’t like lean on him if I don’t understand it.” “[Y]ou just have a better understanding of the code and Java overall.”
Theme: Social Aspects Students get a feeling of pride from completing programs by themselves. “[Y]ou solve things yourself, and there is that self-satisfaction like, oh, I finally figured the damn thing out.” “I like the high, I guess, you when you solve something.” “I guess more or less you feel more accomplished 'cause it's like, 'Oh, hey, I did this all by myself.'”
Theme: Social Aspects PP is a good way to meet my fellow CS students. “[Y]ou could build a relationship with a person, that you could grow together.” “I like to teach people. So with pair programming, I feel like I’m already contributing.” “[Y]ou’re not alone sitting at your computer.” “[M]eet more people.” "It’s helped build a group of people that I do know, of other students that I can go to for help or feel comfortable asking questions to.”
Theme: Social Aspects Solo students get lots of help from other students. “Well, even though it's called solo programming, I don't much [think?] people really did it themselves. There was a lot of asking other people for help and stuff.” “I ask my friend to look over the code before asking the TA.” “[T]here's always one or two students who finish the code a lot faster than everyone else so you just ask them, 'Hey, can you help me out?'”
Considerations for Institutions Considering PP in CS1 Ease the transition from PP to SP Final assignment in CS1 solo Formalize other students as resources Provide structure for the natural seeking of advice Find ways to encourage individual understanding when PP Address scheduling issues Find ways of instilling pride in group success
Questions?
What did students say? What is PP? How did you do it? What are the roles? How does it impact getting stuck? They did seem to experience and engage PP as we instructed them to. What is useful about PP? “Easier”, “handy” Specific conditions for utility (“struggling”) Partner as a resource Usefulness in debugging or being stuck Social and Career benefits
What did students say? Experiences when PP is satisfying Positively influences learning (seeing different types of answers, learning good processes) Interacting Leaning on your partner Social impacts (staying motivated) Getting unstuck, getting assignments done Experiences when PP is unsatisfying Differences in ability level Creative differences Being stuck together Scheduling
What did students say Comparing PP to SP Procrastination Coding, Getting Stuck, Getting Unstuck Time to Complete Assignments Social Impacts Valuation of PP versus SP Understanding of code greater in SP PP benefits: SP benefits: scheduling Confidence higher with SP PP as preparation for SP
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